The relationship between work stress and well-being among Chinese primary and secondary school teachers: The chain mediation of affective rumination and work engagement.

Abstract

Background: Although scholars have explored the impact of work stress, affective rumination, and work engagement on teachers' well-being, there is a need for more research to investigate the mechanisms through which work stress influences teachers' well-being via affective rumination and work engagement.

Methods: Based on the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Job Demands-Resources Model, this study examined the potential indirect roles of affective rumination and work engagement in the association between work stress and well-being among primary and secondary school teachers. A paper questionnaire survey was administered to 760 primary and secondary school teachers (M = 39.84, SD = 8.848) selected through cluster sampling from nine schools in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, China. All participants completed structured self-report questionnaires, including measures of work stress, affective rumination, work engagement, and well-being. Data analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling via Amos 24.0.

Results: The results are as follows: (1) Work stress has a direct and negative effect on well-being; (2) Work stress indirectly and negatively affects well-being through affective rumination; (3) Work stress indirectly and negatively affects well-being through work engagement; (4) Work stress indirectly and negatively impacts well-being through both affective rumination and work engagement.

Conclusion: The results underscore the detrimental effects of work stress and identify the feasibility of interventions targeting affective rumination and work engagement, offering insights into strategies to promote the well-being of primary and secondary school teachers.